Brexit and Beyond: The Importance of Understanding Government Spending
Quick link: NZ budget on OrbViz
The seismic events following the Brexit referendum in 2016 offered a striking lesson about the significance of informed decision-making in democratic processes. The United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, backed by a slim majority of 52-48%, resulted in one of the most monumental political shifts in the country's recent history.
Surprisingly, it wasn't until after the polls closed that a wave of British citizens started turning to Google to ask, “What is the EU?” This delayed flurry of curiosity highlighted a sobering reality - a substantial number of voters were likely ill-informed about the full implications of their choice, showing the vast disconnect between voters' decisions and their understanding of the subject matter.
As New Zealand approaches its own election year, the lesson from Brexit looms large. The country's citizens will soon cast votes that will shape the nation's future, making it critically important to understand the issues at stake. Among these, understanding government spending and its effect on society is vital.
The allocation of public funds determines the quality and availability of public services, influences economic trends, and reflects the Government's policy priorities. In essence, the budget is more than a financial plan; it's a roadmap of the country's planned trajectory.
However, government budgets are often complex, filled with large figures and financial jargon that can be difficult to comprehend. This complexity can create a barrier, preventing ordinary citizens from understanding the budget and its impact on their lives.
This is where tools like Orbviz come into play. Our digital platform transforms complex financial data into interactive, easy-to-understand data visualisation with the context of storytelling. OrbViz’ goal is to make governmental financial data accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial literacy level.
By transforming static PDF and Excel data into interactive and visually appealing formats, Orbviz provides an opportunity for everyone to understand the budget's intricacies. Users can see the budget allocation at a glance, examine it by different categories like Functional Classification, Department, and Appropriation Name, and understand the scale of expenditure through the size of the bubbles in the visualisation.
Being informed about where and how public money is allocated can greatly influence your voting decisions. It empowers you to evaluate the performance of the current Government, gauge the feasibility of political promises, and determine which party's fiscal policies align with your values and aspirations for the country's future.
As the 2023/24 fiscal year unfolds and the election draws near, we invite you to explore the New Zealand Government Budget on OrbViz Bubbles. Arm yourself with knowledge, understand the implications of government spending, and make your vote count. In the age of information, being an informed citizen is not just a right, but a responsibility.